Every weekday, we're offering downloadable songs from artists playing in the New York City area that night. Here's one from an adventurous group that combines Americana sensibility with African percussion.

Jazz trumpeter Ibrahim Malaalouf fuses Middle Eastern and electronic sounds. Listen to a recent concert right here.

Susan Alcorn
"And I Await the Resurrection of the Pedal Steel Guitar (Excerpt)"
Playing at: The Stone (Ave. C and 2nd St., East Village)
Get: Tickets ($10 at door) | Directions

So Green Day’s American Idiot is coming to Broadway. And people are acting all surprised.

Respect Sextet
"Angels and Demons at Play"
Playing at: Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village)
Get: Tickets | Directions

Mike Wexler
"Southern Cross"
Playing at: Monkey Town (58 N. 3rd St., Williamsburg)
Get: Tickets ($5 at door plus $10 minimum) | Directions

Sam Amidon
"How Come That Blood" (Removed Upon Request)
Playing at: Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston St., East Village)
Get: Tickets | Directions

Concert presenters of every stripe have been grousing for years about the difficulties of getting performance visas for foreign artists. In fact, John Schaefer has pretty much given up the fight.

The former kings of Queens avant-garde, Blues Control, returned to New York City on Saturday night to play at Williamsburg venue Death By Audio.

Every weekday, we're offering downloadable songs from artists playing in the New York City area that night. Here's one from an ever-evolving artist who's played both jazz and folk rock.

Every weekday, we're offering downloadable songs from artists playing in the New York City area that night. Here's one from a folk group that counts a best-selling author among its members.

Every weekday, we're offering downloadable songs from artists playing in the New York City area that night. Here's one from a worldly singer with a talent for bridging cultural gaps with music.

Over the years, I’ve heard from lots of artists, writers, architects and the like, saying they like to listen to music while they work.  Why shouldn’t doctors do that too?  I feel I work better with music going (Jamie T’s “Kings and Queens” is playing as I write this), and it seems like lots of people feel the same way.

Every Friday, we're offering downloadable songs from artists playing in the New York City area that weekend. Here's one from a jazz drummer who's been wowing the East Coast scene with his chops and experimental compositions.

Blues Control
"Tangier"
Playing SATURDAY at: Death By Audio (49 S. 2nd St., Williamsburg)
Get: Tickets ($10 at door) | Directions

Oscar Peñas Group
"San Patricio"
Playing FRIDAY at: BAMCafé (30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene)
Get: Tickets FREE | Directions

One of Brooklyn's finest drummers brought his jazz quartet to Barbès on January 6. Lucky for us, we had just finished installing our remote recording station at the Park Slope venue that day. Stream the show here.

Alex Bleeker and the Freaks
"Animal Tracks"
Playing at: The Studio at Webster Hall (125 E. 11th St., East Village)
Get: Tickets | Directions

GlobalFest, the annual festival of world music, takes over Webster Hall this weekend.  We've got picks for the best shows on all three stages, and beyond.